Saturday Morning Session

Opening Hymn: Jesu, Soul of Man’s Desiring
Conducting: President Henry Eyring – Second Counselor in the First Presidency

Hymn: Come Ye Children of the Lord

Invocation: Elder Jeremy R. Jaggi of the 70

Hymn: Jesus the Very Thought of Thee

Talk: President Russell M. Nelson – President of the Church

‘Pure Truth, Pure Doctrine and Pure Revelation’

Major Themes: Welcome to conference; personal revelation

Notable Stories: NA

Scriptures: NA

The Tabernacle Choir singing live again is a wonderful step forward
Thanks for following our counsel and that of medical professionals
Conference used to last 3-4 days, now 2 days
Messages will focus on Christ, his mercy, and redeeming power
Knowledge of Savior has never been more vital
Conflicts would be resolved if we chose to follow Christ and heed His teachings
Listen for 3 things
- Pure truth
- Pure doctrine of Christ
- Pure revelation
There is such a thing as right and wrong. There is absolute truth
Doctrine of Christ helps us stay on the covenant path
Too few people know where to turn for truth
Pure revelation for the questions in your heart will make this conference rewarding and unforgettable.
Feast on the messages of this conference
Apply them to your life
If you have not yet sought ___ ___ … do so now
There has never been a time in the history of the world when knowledge of our Savior is more personally vital and relevant to every human soul.
Please make this conference a time of feasting on messages from the Lord through His servants. Learn how to apply them in your life. … I invoke a blessing upon all who are seeking greater light, knowledge and truth

Talk: Elder Jeffrey R. Holland – Quorum of the Twelve

‘The Greatest Possession’

Major Themes: Difficult things; all-in; change

Notable Stories: Rich young ruler

Scriptures: John 3:3; 4 Nephi 1:16

We are to declare ourselves “all-in”
We are to come to Christ with full commitment. Be all in.
I don’t want your time, money, or work, as much as I just want you (CS Lewis)
Come completely and wholeheartedly
Loyalty we pledge to the Christ should be the supreme devotion of our lives
God is so good at forgiving sins that we have forsaken, perhaps because we give Him so many opportunities to practice
There is divine help for every one of us at any hour that we feel to make a change in our behavior
The possibility of change and living at a higher level has always been a gift of God to those who seek it
Seek a higher and holier life
The people all took on one name after the Savior’s visit to the Americas: the children of Christ
- There were no more Nephites, Lamanites, Jacobites, Josephites, or any manner of -ites
In the kingdom of God there can be no halfway measures, no starting and stopping, no turning back
4 Nephi 1:16 surely there could not be a happier people among all the people who had been created by the hand of God.
If we love God enough to try to be fully faithful to Him, He will give us the ability, the capacity, the will and the way to love our neighbor and ourselves

Talk: Sister Bonnie H. Cordon – Young Women General President

‘Here for Something Grand’

Major Themes: Patriarchal blessings; Gathering Israel; Missionary work

Notable Stories: Tanner playing goalie

Scriptures:

The Lord has prepared us for this day to be a force for good
The youth (and all of us) need to know 1) who we are and 2) our purpose.
Study your patriarchal blessing regularly. – helps us know who we are.
Young boy got entangled in a net while playing goalie because he got distracted
One of Satan’s most powerful weapons is distract us from good and better causes from the best cause
Pres Nelson: Whenever we do anything to help anyone come unto Christ, we are gathering Israel.
We can invite all to follow Him.
Nothing is too big or too small for Christ to heal.
Who will I bring to Christ?
Peyton had a goal to read 5 verses of scripture each day. She invited parents and siblings.
Pray and ask Heavenly Father how you can support your parents, siblings, and friends to come unto Christ
The Savior’s love for us is unfailing — even when we fail. Nothing can separate us from the love of God
The best way for you to improve the world is to prepare the world for Jesus Christ by inviting all to follow Him
Our eternal purpose is to come unto Christ and join Him in His great work….Come unto Christ. Come now, but don’t come alone
What is the most important thing the youth need to know?
- The youth need to know who they are and know their purpose.
- The youth are beloved children of our Heavenly Father
Don’t delay finding out what the Lord wants to tell you now about who you are.

Talk: Elder Ulisses Soares – Quorum of the Twelve

‘The Savior’s Abiding Compassion’

Major Themes: Treating others with compassion

Notable Stories: The woman who washed Jesus’ feet at Simon the Pharisee’s house

Scriptures: Luke

Jesus challenged Simon’s condescending attitude
Christ treated all with compassion, especially those who most needed his help
Simon’s superiority complex and hard heart prevented him from showing empathy
It is not easy to understand all the circumstances that react to what people do
Never make harsh and cruel judgement of our neighbors because we’re all in need of mercy
Jesus looks at the heart and not on appearance
We strive to be like the Savior daily
In becoming like the Savior, we can make righteous judgments and look at others with compassion.
In order to qualify ourselves to make righteous judgments, we must strive to become like the Savior and look at the imperfections of individuals compassionately, even through His eyes.
Christ is capable of clearly seeing all facets of a given situation.
The compassionate attitude of Jesus is rooted in charity, namely in His pure and perfect love, which is the essence of His atoning sacrifice.
Compassion is a fundamental characteristic of those who strive for sanctification, and this divine quality intertwines with other Christian traits, such as mourning with those who mourn and having empathy, mercy and kindness.
Compassion for others is, in fact, the essence of the gospel of Jesus Christ.
Perhaps it would be better if we sit at Jesus’ feet and plead for mercy for our own imperfections … and not spend so much time and energy fixating on the perceived imperfections of others.
The Lord will recognize our efforts, and we will surely be blessed with opportunities to be instruments in His hands in softening hearts and bringing relief to those whose hands hang down.

Hymn: Let Us All Press On

Talk: Elder D. Todd Christofferson – Quorum of the Twelve

‘The Love of God’

Major Themes: God’s plan; Repentance; Forgiveness; Love

Notable Stories: Joy Jones ministering to a couple that had been inactive for many years

Scriptures: John 3:16; Moses 6:57

When we rely on God’s love we don’t care about approval of others
We should not hesitate to call upon God even when we feel unworthy.
Salvation is not unconditional. God cannot take any of us into His kingdom as we are
None can offer redemption for sin except for the blood of the Lamb.
The kingdom of God cannot endure with even the slightest of sin or flaw.
- The smallest sin will prove fatal in eternity
He will forgive sin, but never condone it.
As often as we repent, He will forgive us.
- He will not redeem us in our sins, but He will redeem us from our sins.
The world is anti-Christ, or anything but Christ
As we abide in God’s love, we depend less and less on the approval of others
Charismatic individuals promote bad behavior and harming others
- Their philosophies justify even a little sin
We don’t have to attempt the impossible to rationalize our sins away or erase the effects of sin.
We are not a religion of perfectionism but a gospel of redemption
Sister Jones ministered to an inactive couple and realized they weren’t serving because of their love for the Lord, so they repented.
Those in power in the status quo see the commandment to ‘become one in Christ’ as others needing to become like they are, to stop ‘playing identity politics’.
But, God created each of us as we are, with individuality and community and family.
Love others as they are
The Lord was the perfect example of Compassion, of suffering with.
He made others’ personal issues his own and perfectly understood how to suffer with, to listen, to validate, to love, and to heal.
You are never too far from the love of God.
He is always waiting to help you when you ask him.
Even, and especially when, you feel that God doesn’t care or wouldn’t answer your prayers he will bless you if you turn to him.
Serving in the name of the Lord made the struggle of serving others no longer a struggle – Former Primary President Joy D Jones (speaking about the reluctance of a family they were trying to minister to)
Two questions to ask:
- How well do I love God?
- Can He rely on my love?
His commandments are not grievous.
- They mark the path to joy.
There was no contention in the land because of the love of God that was in them.
The best the ‘anything but Christ’ or ‘anything but repentance’ crowd can offer is the unfounded claim that sin does not exist, or that if it exists, it ultimately has no consequences.
- I can’t see that argument getting much traction at the Final Judgment.
Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ love each individual perfectly and profoundly.
- Because God’s love is all-embracing, some may project that thought to mean that God’s blessings or salvation are unconditional.
- “They are not.
- Some are wont to say, ‘the Savior loves me just as I am,’ and that is certainly true. But He cannot take any of us into His kingdom just as we are, ‘for no unclean thing can dwell there’ ().
The love of the Father and the Son includes expectations.
Because They love you, They do not want to leave you ‘just as you are.’
- They want you to have joy and success.
- Because They love you, They want you to repent because that is the path to happiness.
  - But it is your choice — They honor your agency.
- You must choose to love Them, to serve Them, to keep Their commandments.
  - Then They can more abundantly bless you as well as love you.”
The love of the prophets of God is reflected in their warnings against sin.
- “They are not motivated by a desire to condemn. Their true desire mirrors the love of God; in fact, it is the love of God.”

Talk: Clark G. Gilbert of the Seventy

‘Becoming More in Christ: The Parable of the Slope’

Major Themes: Involving God in our development. Listing our slopes

Notable Stories: Work with group of youth in Boston who went on to temple covenants

Scriptures:2 Nephi 2:25

- As a young boy, he asked his mom if he should be a basketball player or rock star when he grew up. Denied admission to an advanced academic program, told to stick with the basic program. Not until mission did he learn to involve the Lord in his studies.
- Involve the Lord in your development.
- It’s not where we start but where we’re headed that matters most.
- Our lives will not be judged so much by our starting point rather than our slope.

(I think he’s over-estimating people’s math-skills)

The world focuses on our intercept, the Lord focuses on our slopes
The slope of our line is more important than our intercept (starting point)
No matter the difficulty of our starting points, the Lord knows us and can support us.
Focus more on your heading that where you start
Don’t ignore circumstances but over focusing on difficult starting point can constrain your ability to choose.
Show love by not lowering expectations. Focus on potential and people will elevate their slopes. Growth may be gradual but can be steady.
Involve the Lord in lifting your slope–he will lift you more than you can lift yourself.
Two areas of counsel for those with elevated starting points
- Show humility for circumstances that we had no control over
  - Give back, failure to …
- Focusing on a high starting point can trap us to feel like we are thriving when our inner slope may be stagnant.
  - Most successful are humble because they are willing to be corrected by anyone
The Lord will help you more than you can help yourself. It is by grace that we are saved. Only through Him can we achieve our divine potential.
The reason BYU pathway students succeed is that we teach them their divine potential.
In the Lord’s calculus, He will do everything He can to help us turn our slopes toward heaven.
One of the miracles of this, the Lord’s Church, is that each of us can become something more in Christ
Just like the mathematical formula for a line, all have different intercepts, or starting points, in life — some are born with high intercepts, full of opportunity.
- Others face challenges that can seem unfair.
- However, “our future will be determined far less by our starting point and much more by our slope.”
One of the miracles of the Lord’s Church is that each can become something more in Christ.
- “Whether we start in difficult or abundant spiritual circumstances, let us keep our sights and our slopes pointed heavenward. As we do, Christ will lift us to a higher place.”

Talk: Elder Patricio M. Giuffra of the Seventy

A Faithful Search Rewarded’

Major Themes: Nature of the Godhead

Notable Stories: Conversion Story

Scriptures: Joseph Smith – History 1:15-20; James 1:5–6; Moroni 10:3–5; Moses 1:39

Started questioning religion and faith at 14; came across missionaries, and joined a neighboring family to listen to the missionaries.
God listens to all his children’s sincere prayers, and heaven is open to all-not just a few.
True repentance begins with faith that Christ has the power to heal us.
I invite us all to continually increase our faith in Christ, who has changed the lives of my beloved mother and me and continues to change the lives of all who seek Him.
Through Joseph Smith, Jesus Christ restored His gospel and true Church to the earth.
- The priesthood authority conferred on Christ’s ancient Apostles is the same priesthood conferred upon Joseph Smith and Oliver Cowdery by Peter, James and John.
The Book of Mormon teaches how ancient inhabitants of the Americas knew, loved and worshipped Christ, who appeared as the resurrected Savior.
God listens to all His children’s sincere prayers, and heaven is open to all — not just a few.
God the Father, Jesus Christ and the Holy Ghost are three separate beings, united in purpose “to bring to pass the immortality and eternal life of man.”
Man is created in the image of God.
- Heavenly Father and His Son Jesus have bodies of flesh and bones, but They are glorified and perfected.
- The Holy Ghost is a personage of spirit.
I invite us all to continually increase our faith in Christ, who has changed the lives of my beloved mother and me and continues to change the lives of all who seek Him.

Hymn: I Will Follow God’s Plan

Talk: President Dallin H. Oaks – First Counselor in the First Presidency

‘The Need for a Church’

Major Themes: Church attendance

Notable Stories: Elder Mark Peterson starting a talk

Scriptures:

Elder Peterson started a talk about a couple that stopped attending church but were still believing people
Attendance in church (not just LDS) is down nation-wide.
Reduced church attendance hurts the nation.
In church, we learn to apply religious principles.
A persuasive example is more powerful than a sermon
Church attendance helps us become better people and to be a better influence on others.
Attending church is a necessary component of religious life
Personal disappointment should never keep us from the doctrine of Christ, who taught us to serve, not to be served
Changing my attitude about going to church, I no longer go for my sake but to help others.
Some claim that the church is not helping them.
We are to serve and not be served.
Attend church to be active, not passive
We don’t go to church to be entertained or be instructed, we go to worship the Lord
If services are a failure to you, you have failed – Pres Kimball
We don’t serve alone, we serve as a team.
Church directed service helps us overcome personal selfishness than can retard personal growth
Church helps us rise above the individualism of our age
Serving with others reminds us that we are not alone
Increasing difficulty for parents to raises parents in their faiths
Special reasons for church attendance in the restored church
- Ancient and modern leaders teach importance of church
In service, we can rise above the individualism of our age.
- We are all part of the family of God.
Restored church helps us grow spiritually.
- This means change, repenting, and seaking to grow closer to the Lord
We learn from one another.
- A persuasive example is more powerful than a sermon.
Church helps us grow spiritually.
- Growth means change.
Church membership counsels are not discipline like a court
Christ taught us to serve others, not to be served.
- We go to church to serve.
Church service teaches how to work in a broader community. This doesn’t happen in practices of current society
Geographic nature of wards lead us to associate with people we wouldn’t normally interact with
We, of course, affirm that the scriptures, ancient and modern, clearly teach the origin and need for a Church directed by and with the authority of our Lord Jesus Christ.
We learn how to work with people of different backgrounds.
If church is not helping you, you’re letting personal disappointments get in the way of the doctrines.
- Go to serve others, not yourself.
- Be the difference you want to see.
Church attending members enjoy the fruits of gospel living, like the word of wisdom and law of tithing, counsel from inspired leaders, sacrament
We cannot wish our way into the presence of God. We must obey laws upon which blessings are predicated. Pres Nelson
We do not believe that good can only be accomplished in a church
- Millions of people are carrying out good works
Our members’ religious faith and church service have taught them how to work in cooperative efforts to benefit the larger community.
Serving in our wards gives us the opportunity to serve with folks we might not normally engage with.
- We can learn a ton from the experience.
Parley P. Pratt describing how he felt God was his father and Jesus was his brother is inspiring.
We can really feel that we are part of God’s family.

Hymn: I Know My Redeemer Lives

Benediction: Amy Wright – Second Counselor in Primary General Presidency

Saturday Afternoon Session

Music by multi-cultural choirs, Northern Utah (Jamie Wood conducting)

Conducting: President Dallin H. Oaks – First Counselor in the First Presidency

Hymn: Hark, All Ye Nations

Invocation: Elder William K Jackson of the 70

The Sustaining of the Church Officers by President Henry B. Eyring – Second Counselor in the First Presidency:

Released
- J. Devn Cornish
- Timothy J. Dyches
- Daqvid F. Evans
- Robert C. Gay
- James B. Martino
- Terrence M. Vincent
- (Dean M. Davies would have been released but God called him home)
Called

Two area 70 announced yesterday

Hymn: Consider the Lilies

Talk: Elder David A. Bednar – Quorum of the Twelve

‘With the Power of God in Great Glory’

Major Themes: Book of Mormon; Covenant Path

Notable Stories: Person paralyzed who trusted God

Scriptures: Malachi 4:5–6; Matthew 11:28–30

Three years after Joseph Smith’s First Vision, he received a visit from an angel named Moroni
The Book of Mormon is another testament of Jesus Christ
Missionary work and temple and family history work are complementary, interrelated aspects of one great work focusing upon the sacred covenants and ordinances that enable Latter-day Saints to receive the power of godliness and return to the presence of Heavenly Father.
I testify and promise that honoring covenants arms us with righteousness and with the power of God in great glory
Our purpose is to invite all to come unto Christ and bind themselves to the Lord through covenants.
Keep your covenants and you are assisting in God’s work
Our single greatest duty: Preach the gospel & Redeem the dead.
We are to take the Savior’s yoke upon us.
- We do this by learning about and receiving temple covenants
Our purpose in building temples is to make available the holy places wherein the sacred covenants and ordinances necessary for the salvation and exaltation of the human family can be administered, for both the living and the dead
Your home can be as sacred a place of refuge as the holy temple!
We are bound securely to and with the Savior as we faithfully remember and do our best to live in accordance with the obligations we have accepted. And that bond with him is the source of spiritual strength in every season of our lives.
Our purpose in sharing the gospel is to invite all to come unto Jesus Christ, receive the blessings of the restored gospel and endure to the end through faith in the Savior
Moroni’s teachings in September of 1823 about the Book of Mormon and the mission of Elijah established the doctrinal foundation for the work of salvation and exaltation on both sides of the veil.
Mortality is hard but helps us grow more like God
SInce the price has already been paid once, why demand that it be paid twice
We take the Savior’s yoke upon us as we learn about, worthily receive and honor sacred covenants and ordinances.
- We are bound securely to and with the Savior as we faithfully remember and do our best to live in accordance with the obligations we have accepted

Talk: Elder Ciro Schmeil of the 70

‘Faith to Act and Become’

Major Themes:

Notable Stories:

Scriptures: 3 Nephi

(Talk pre-recorded)
President Nelson: You are called for what you can become.
To do anything well requires effort.
President Nelson invites us to work hard.
Prayer and scripture study go hand-in-hand.
- They work together for our benefit
As we act in faith the Lord Provides the answers or strength( story of Nephi getting plates)
I am grateful for prophets, seers and revelators; they are the watchmen on the tower
As we study the scriptures the Lord will give us the answers or the necessary strength to get through one more day, one more week, and to try one more time
To become a better follower of the Savior Jesus Christ is a lifelong journey and we are all in different stages, moving at a different pace.
- We must keep in mind that this is not a competition, and we are here to love and help each other.
Asking through prayer is one of the keys to know how to become a better disciple of Jesus Christ
As we act, He will guide and direct us along the way.
We too must seek guidance from the scriptures for our journey, and we must teach from them in our homes and church callings
Through prayer and scripture studying, the Lord has always given me the strength to act and endure one more day, one more week, and try again.
- Many times, the answers did not come right away.
  - I have questions that have not been answered yet, but I keep asking and studying, and I am happy that the Lord continues to give me the strength to act as I wait for answers

Talk: Sister Susan H. Porter – First Counselor in the Primary General Presidency

‘God’s Love: The Most Joyous to the Soul’

Major Themes: Knowing the love of God

Notable Stories:

Scriptures:

God’s love and light permeate all of His creations.
Not having clear answers should not stop us from moving forward
Not about fulfilling a calling, but how can we show God’s love through our service
We can pray to be filled with the love of Christ.
- When we do, we can know of His love for us.
God’s love is not found in the circumstances of our lives, but in His presence in our lives
May we open our hearts to receive the pure love that God has for us and then shed forth that love in all we do and are
God’s love isn’t just felt by those who have followed the iron rod and partake of the fruit.
God’s love, however, is not only received by those who come to the tree but is the very power that motivates us to seek that tree”
Covenants can help us heal and forgive
At times, it can be difficult to feel God’s love.
- Prayer can help people to see His hand in their lives.
When Nephi was shown the tree of life, he asked to see the interpretation.
- The angel showed Nephi the city of Nazareth, Mary and baby Jesus.
- The angel declared: “Behold the Lamb of God, yea, even the Son of the Eternal Father!”
At that sacred moment, Nephi understood that in the birth of the Savior, God was showing forth His pure and complete love.

Talk: Elder Erich W. Kopischke of the 70

‘Addressing Mental Health’

Major Themes: Mental Illness

Notable Stories: Story of his son’s mental illness

Scriptures:

(Talk pre-recorded)
Mental Illness Observations
- People will mourn with us, but they aren’t judging us.
- It can be difficult for parents to identify their children’s struggles
We have to navigate mental health challenges without being mental health professionals
There is not a cure all for mental distress or illness
Spiritual growth is an ongoing process – don’t obsess about our shortcomings
Many people worldwide have been affected by mental health struggles.
- Church members are not immune
  - too many suffer silently and believe they have no place in the Church.
The Savior loves each of His Father’s children
Focusing on growth is healthier than obsessing over our shortcomings.
We are not alone… learning will lead to more understanding, acceptance, compassion, more love.
Pray for your children and hold onto them in faith.
- Think more about them than ourselves.
- Stay close to them just like we stay close to God.
Information proceeds inspiration and revelation
- Become educated on Church sites for helping those with mental illness.
For all who are personally affected by mental illness, hold fast to your covenants, even if you might not feel God’s love at this time
Educating ourselves about mental illness prepares us to help ourselves and others who might be struggling.
There is not a simple cure-all for emotional and mental wellness.
- Focusing on growth is healthier than obsessing about shortcomings.
Constantly watch over each other.
- We must love one another and be less judgmental — especially when our expectations are not immediately met.

Hymn: Redeemer of Israel – Hymn #6

Talk: Ronald A. Rasband – Quorum of the Twelve

The Things of My Soul

Major Themes: Things of Our Souls

Notable Stories: Having an apostle in your home; Naaman washed 7 times.

Scriptures: Matthew 22:37–39; Isaiah 55:8

What things do you ponder?
What things really matter to you?
President Nelson: Take your questions to the Lord and other faithful sources.
- Stop rehearsing your doubts with the doubters.
Allow the Lord to lead you in your spiritual discovery
Things of the soul are clarified and deepened by asking questions, preparing to hear promptings, lifting sights beyond the ways of the world and giving purpose to work in the gospel and life.
“10 Things of My Soul”
- Established
  - 1.) Love the Father and the Son
  - 2.) Love thy neighbor (everyone)
  - 3.) Love yourself
  - 4.) Keep commandments
  - 5.) Be worthy to attend the temple (Be recommended to the Lord)
  - 6.) Be joyful and cheerful
  - 7.) Follow the living prophet
    - High on the list of most important things
    - This makes our faith unique
    - Follow their counsel and you will never be led astray
- Not established
  - 8.) Go figure out on your own
  - 9.) Go figure out on your own
  - 10.) Go figure out on your own
My thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are my ways your ways saith the Lord
Don’t pick and choose from the prophet’s counsel based on trends or modern norms
Our prophet points us to our own “River Jordans”.
- Just like Naaman
The prophetic mantle is all about revelation
Things of the soul “strengthen our service in the Church and in all areas of life”
The most important words we can hear, ponder and follow are those revealed through our living prophet
The Church is distinguished by being led by prophets, seers and revelators that are called of God. .
When we are heavy laden with mistakes, heartaches, feelings of inadequacy, disappointment, anger or sin, the power of the Savior’s Atonement is, by divine design, one of the things that lifts the soul

Talk: Elder Christoffel Golden Jr of the 70

‘Preparing for The Second Coming of Christ’

Major Themes:Second coming, end of days

Notable Stories:

Scriptures: John 14:6; 2 Timothy 3:1–7; Amos 3:7

(talk pre-recorded)
Signs of the last days (men will be lovers of self rather than of God)
For those who have eyes to see, ears to hear and hearts to feel, more than ever before, we are required to confront the reality that we are getting ever closer to the Second Coming of Jesus Christ
We live in a modern world filled with great knowledge and much prowess.
- Nonetheless, these things too often camouflage the unsteady foundation upon which they are built
The scriptures record instances of nations rejecting signs and prophecies of the Savior.
- No teaching, miracle or angelic visitation appears to have the persuasive power to convince some individuals to alter their beliefs.
The knowledge and prowess of today’s world “too often” camouflage the unsteady foundation upon which they are built. Consequently, they do not lead to real truth nor to develop faith in Jesus Christ.
“We are required to confront the reality that we are getting ever closer to the Second Coming of Jesus Christ. True, great difficulties yet await those on the earth at His return, but in this regard, the faithful need not fear.”
God is real and miracles occur in the everyday life of countless people.
- Many sacred experiences are rarely spoken of, “in part because of their divine origin and the resulting possibility of ridicule by some who do not know better.”
The prophet Moroni taught that those who deny the revelations and gifts of God “knoweth not the gospel of Christ.”
Joseph Smith said: “Shall we not go on in so great a cause? … Courage, brethren (and may I add, sisters); and on, on to the victory.”
“The gospel of Jesus Christ is a gospel of repentance, … of healing, of progression, of joy” – Pres. Nelson.
Christ’s words to us in regards to His Second Coming are the same as they were when He taught the event to His apostles: Be prepared

Talk: Moises Villanueva of the 70

Favored of the Lord in All My Days

Major Themes:

Notable Stories: Losing family members to Covid

Scriptures:

(talk pre-recorded)
Heavenly Father and His Son Jesus Christ want us to have joy irregardless of what is happening in our lives.
How do we react to our afflictions?
The best cure for fatigue is serving
In moments of difficulty and trials, there are few things that bring us greater peace or satisfaction than serving our fellow men.
Our savior understands our pains and afflictions. He wants to ease our burdens and comfort us. We must follow His example by serving and ministering to those with even greater burdens than our own.
Jesus Christ showed us that during times of trial and adversity we can recognize the difficulties of others
The pain of losing a loved one in mortality is felt and understood by the Lord.
By His example, the Savior provides direction on how to react to afflictions and avoid murmuring.
- Our Savior, Jesus Christ, gave us the example during His earthly ministry.
- In moments of difficulty and trial, there are few things that bring us greater peace and satisfaction than serving our fellow man.
As latter-day prophets have taught, the best medicine for despair is service. The Lord’s infinite love can offer illuminating hope during even the darkest days.
“Our Savior Jesus Christ understands our pains and our afflictions.
- He wants to ease our burdens and comfort us.
  - We must follow His example, by serving and ministering to those with even greater burdens than our own.”

Talk: Elder Gary E Stevenson – Quorum of the Twelve

‘Simple Divinely Appointed Responsibilities’

Major Themes: Following the prompting of the Spirit; Care for those in need; Inviting others to the gospel of Christ; Temple Work.

Notable Stories: Jens replacing the lightbulb; Help and care to the 3 orphan kids; Clayton’s love, sharing and inviting others to come to Christ; Lydia in Ukraine and Temple work.

Scriptures: D&C 110; Matthew 22:39

The gospel is simply beautiful and beautifully simple.
The world is filled with complexities and strife
We should try to keep the gospel simple in our lives
Stories to inspire and inform.
Story: Living the Gospel of Jesus Christ: Jens
- Listened to a prompting to replace a lightbulb and was led to save a boy from drowning.
Story: Caring for those in need in Colombia:
- Ward members helped to build a home for 3 orphan kids.
Story: Clayton (Cape Verde) learned to
- Love
- Share
- Invite
Story: Lydia
- Found 15000 names!
1) Live the Gospel of Jesus Christ
2) Care for those in need
3) Invite others to hear the gospel
4) Unite families for eternity.

Hymn: This is the Christ

Benediction: Rebbeca L Craven – Second Counselor in the Young Women’s Presidency

Saturday Evening Session

Opening Hymn: (Hymn) – Hymn (#)
Conducting: President Dallin H. Oaks – First Counselor in the First Presidency

Hymn: Praise to the Lord, the Almighty

Invocation: Brother Steven J. Lund – Young Men General President

Hymn: God Loved Us, So He Sent His Son

Talk: M. Russell Ballard – Acting President of the Quorum of the Twelve

‘Lovest Thou Me More Than These?’

Major Themes:

Notable Stories: Jesus’ disciples told to cast their nets on the other side of the boat

Scriptures: John 21:4ff; John 3:16;

Jesus is asking us if we love Him more than the things of the world
Only Jesus Christ can offer us true joy and peace through our loving Him and following His teachings
The things of the world matter little when we follow Jesus
Loving the savior should be our priority
- We have faith in him
- We repent
- We endure to the end and stay on the covenant path.
Jesus is the light, life and hope of the world
To believe is to love and follow the Savior
“Are you willing to let God Prevail”
- Israel – Let God Prevail
As we focus on our neighbors, we learn to love them.
- Lovest thou these more than these?
Knowing that the Savior is the life, light, and hope of the world gives me a greater desire to love him more every day
Every son and daughter of God is precious to Him
How would we answer the question ‘Lovest thou me more than these?’
- When we discover a fuller meaning of this question, we can become better family members, neighbors, citizens, members of the Church and sons and daughters of God.
We cannot lose our love for and hope in Jesus, even if we face seemingly overwhelming challenges.
- Heavenly Father and Jesus will never forget us.
  - They love us
I pray that you may answer as Peter did so long ago, ‘Yea, Lord; thou knowest that I love thee’ and then show it by loving and serving God and those around you
In the New Testament, John records the account after the Savior’s Resurrection where Peter and the other disciples’ fishing net was miraculously filled.
After they had all dined on the shore, Jesus asks Peter, “Lovest thou me more than these?”
In relating this question to individuals today, the Lord may be asking about the influences competing for time and attention.
- “He may be asking each of us if we love Him more than the things of this world.
  - This may be a question about what we really value in life, who we follow and how we view our relationships with family members and neighbors.
    - Or, maybe He is asking what really brings us joy and happiness.”
True happiness depends on one’s relationship with God, Jesus Christ and others.
- “What things can you do within your own life to show that you love the Lord first?”

Talk: Sister Sharon L. Eubank – First Counselor in the Relief Society Presidency

‘I Pray He’ll Use Us’

Major Themes: Caring for persons in need, Charity

Notable Stories: LDS Charities and baklava , Dekay Umbuti (South Africa); Afghan refugees; Jaju in Haiti.

Scriptures: Luke 4:16–21

We are under the diving mandate to care for persons in need.
We do so by
- Ministering
- Fasting
- Welfare farms and canneries
- Just serve
- etc
Consecrated contributions are used around the world
Afghan refugees have immediate needs, which Church Humanitarian aid served
Relief Society sisters sewed muslim headcoverings for refugee women who lost theirs during the chaos while leaving Afghanistan
The Church of Jesus Christ is under divine mandate to care for the poor.
- It is one of the pillars of the work of salvation and exaltation
Prophets have a charge for the whole Earth, not just members of the Church
Small efforts collectively make a big impact.:
Floods in western Europe were the severest in decades
- Shopkeeper’s shop was destroyed and prayed for help; next morning a group of missionaries arrived to clean and serve.
Prayers are answered most of the time by God using other people.
The essence of the gospel is contain in how we answer the question asked by Christ, ‘do you love me’
As baptized members of the Church, we are under covenant to care for those in need.
- Our individual efforts don’t necessarily require money or faraway locations; but they do require the guidance of the Holy Spirit and a willing heart to say to the Lord: ‘Here am I, send me

Talk: Elder Brent H. Nielsen of the Presidency of the Seventy

‘Is There No Balm in Gilead?’

Major Themes: Healing; Spiritual healing

Notable Stories: Dad’s cancer; Man with Palsy; the feeding of the 5,000

Scriptures: John 61-13; 2 Corinthians 12:7–10;

- His dad was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer while in college
  - Doctors recommend surgery. After starting surgery they observed the cancer had already spread throughout the body and he only had a few months to live.
  - Prayers evolved from asking for healing, to be free of pain, to let him pass away quickly.
  - Began to wonder why his father hadn’t been healed, if his faith wasn’t strong enough
  - Why do some families receive miracles, but others do not?
- The Savior is referred to as the balm of Gilead because of His healing power
- Scripture of man being lowered through the roof to be healed and Christ saying ‘thy sins be forgiven’
- Healing spiritual hearts is more valuable than healing physical hearts
- At times the most valuable healing is not the physical healing, but the spiritual healing, the broken hearts.
- The object of our faith must be in Jesus Christ, and an acceptance of that which is expedient in Him.
- After his father’s death, he mistakenly believed the Savior’s healing did not occur.
- After feeding the 5000, the leftovers filled 12 baskets.
  - Why did the Savior ask the disciples to do this?
    - No matter how deep the wounds or how many are hurt, the Savior has ability to heal with room to spare.
- “My Grace is sufficient for all men”

That is my theme verse!

- The leftovers after the 5000 demonstrate that His grace is truly sufficient.
The Old Testament teaches of an aromatic spice or ointment used for healing wounds that was made from a bush grown in Gilead
- Through literature, music and art, the Savior Jesus Christ has often been referred to as the Balm of Gilead because of His remarkable healing power.
The Savior’s Atonement, which makes available both His redeeming and His enabling power, is the ultimate blessing that Jesus Christ offers to all
- As we cheerfully submit our will to the Father, even in the most difficult of circumstances, the Savior will lift our burdens and make them light.
The reason requires an understanding of the Savior’s Atonement as taught throughout the scriptures, but specifically in Jeremiah, Mark, 3 Nephi and Moroni.
We can move forward with faith knowing that when difficult times come, and they surely will, or when sin encompasses our lives, the Savior stands with ‘healing in His wings’ inviting us to come unto Him
The power of the Savior covers sins, wounds and trials of all sizes, regardless of their complexities.
- And, as happened when the Savior fed the 5,000, there will be more than enough for those in need.

Talk: Elder Arnulfo Valenzuela of the 70

‘Deepening Our Conversion to Jesus Christ’

Major Themes: Scripture study, Covenants, Temple

Notable Stories: Young boy wanted to hear the story of David and Goliath

Scriptures: 2 Corinthians 3:3; 2 Corinthians 5:17

- To do anything well requires effort, becoming a disciple is no exception. – President Nelson
- To increase faith, we need to become engaged learners to better understand Christ’s life and ministry
- The scriptures were an important part of Lehi’s family
  - That is why getting the brass plates was important
  - Nephi delighted in the scriptures

(apparently we needed to relisten to Pres Nelson’s talk)

To feast means more than to taste.
- To feast means to savor.
  - We savor the scriptures by studying them in a spirit of delightful discovery
The scriptures and our knowledge of the gospel are gifts.
- Let us cherish these gifts.
Delighting in the scriptures is more than thirsting for knowledge
- Have a plan to study the scriptures.
We are seeking to become a new creature when we study the scriptures.
When we study the Gospel, we are not only seeking new information, we are becoming new creatures
As we study the scriptures, we will better understand God’s plan of salvation and exaltation, and we will trust in the promises that He has made to us in the scriptures
The scriptures and our knowledge of God are gifts.
- Gifts that we too often take for granted.
- Let us cherish these blessings
Study of the scriptures provides both knowledge of and context to God’s plan of salvation.
- Through this understanding, individuals build trust in His promises made in the scriptures, as well as in the promises and blessings of modern prophets.
Teaching from the scriptures transforms people. The power of the Holy Ghost is manifest through them to positively change lives.
The Holy Ghost guides us toward truth and testifies to us of the truth
- We should seek the companionship of the Holy Ghost.
- This goal should govern our decisions and guide our thoughts and actions.
- We must seek everything that invites the influence of the Spirit and reject anything that deviates from this influence.”

Hymn: Guide Us, O Thou Great Jehovah

Talk: Bradley R Wilcox – Second Counselor in the Young Men’s Presidency

‘Worthiness is Not Flawlessness’

Major Themes: Communication; repentance; grace

Notable Stories: Voice message,

Scriptures:

- A positive and well-intentioned message can be easily misunderstood
- Some may mistaken believe repentance and change is unnecessary
  - “But doesn’t God love us despite our imperfections”
    - Sure, but He loves us too much to leave us this way
- God loves us as we are, but He loves us too much to leave us this way.
- Some believe repentance is a one time event. God teaches repentance is an ongoing process, a lifetime pursuit
- Life is like a cross country road trip; we can’t reach our destination on one tank of gas, we must refill the tank over and over.
- Taking the sacrament is like pulling into the gas station. We promise to keep the commandment and God promises to fill our tanks.
- Some mistakenly receive the message that they are not worthy to participate in the Gospel.
- Worthiness is not flawlessness

(He’s really going for the twitter/instagram-sound bites)

Well, there ARE a couple of Twitter LDS hashtags which are very busy during General Conference

- We promise to press forward on the journey and God and Christ promise to refill the tank
- We must not give up just because we slip up
- God ALWAYS speaks of weaknesses with mercy
- “I decided I just deserved to feel terrible all the time”
  - “I’ll never be good enough so what’s the use of even trying”
  - “Maybe I should just stop going to church, I’m sick of being a hypocrite”
    - “You’re not a hypocrite for making a mistake, you’re a hypocrite when you hide it”
- The Lord sees weaknesses differently than he does rebellion. Weaknesses are always spoken of with mercy
- We can do it because we can appeal to God for the help we need each day
- Being honest about your mistakes and trying to move forward is not being a hypocrite, it’s being a disciple
- God will help us right here and now
  - God’s message is that he will help us as we repent
- Stopped looking down in shame and looked up for divine help and found it
  - The only time I turned to God was to ask for forgiveness, now I ask for grace and His divine enabling power.
- Prosper by degrees.
  - Set up achievable goals of repentance.
  - Look at them as a series of successes rather than repeated failures.
- Overcoming bad habits and addictions requires daily …
- Covid has not been easy for anyone.
  - Isolation has made life especially difficult for those with bad habits.
- God’s message is he will help us as we repent.
  - His grace is available no matter where we are in the path of repentance.
- So many have been hurt by broken and strained relationships cannot …
- God’s grace is not just a prize for the worthy.
  - It is a divine assistance to help us become worthy.
- We are not just walking towards Christ and God, we are walking with them.
- When you feel like you have failed too many times to keep trying, remember Christ’s Atonement.
- Some mistakenly receive the message that God is waiting to help until after we repent.
  - God’s message is that He will help us as we repent

(This talk was like a cliff-notes version of his BYU devotional, which is one of the best talks I’ve ever heard)

Elder Wilcox has such a powerful ability to clearly articulate the power of the atonement.
- Is he the same one who wrote the book “The Continuing Atonement”?
( His talk was very reassuring. A reminder that it is not “all or nothing” and that our efforts are appreciated. A reminder that our path towards our Saviour and Father in Heaven, is not a binary process of “either or”, but a continuous journey of ups and downs, deviations, efforts and then success).
God’s message is that repentance and change are necessary.
- He wants His children to improve and become all they are capable of becoming.
God loves us as we are, but He also loves us too much to leave us this way.
- Growing up unto the Lord is what mortality is all about.
- Change is what Christ’s Atonement is all about.
- Not only can Christ resurrect, cleanse, console and heal us, but through it all, He can transform us to become more like Him.
Life is like a cross-country road trip, and one’s “tank” must be frequently refilled.
Taking the sacrament is like pulling into the gas station.
- As we repent and renew our covenants, we pledge our willingness to keep the commandments and God and Christ bless us with the holy Spirit.
- In short, we promise to press forward on our journey and God and Christ promise to refill the tank
In short, we promise to press forward on our journey and God and Christ promise to refill the tank.
God’s blessings are within reach for those who keep all the commandment and “him that seeketh so to do.
Worthiness is not flawlessness.
- Worthiness is being honest and trying.
- We must be honest with God, priesthood leaders and others who love us and we must strive to keep God’s commandments and never give up just because we slip up.”

Talk: Alfred Kyungu of the 70

‘To Be a Follower of Christ’

Major Themes: Followers of Christ; Qualities of the Savior (humility, courage, forgiveness, sacrifice)

Notable Stories: Mission experience in DR Congo,

Scriptures:

4 qualities of the Savior
First quality of the savior is humility.
- Christ allowed the will of God to take priority
- Humility precedes God’s glory.
Second, courage
- While serving as mission president in DR Congo, they began to fear traveling on roads to visit missionaries and zone conferences.
- Area president said to do the best he could; be wise; don’t put yourselves or missionaries in harm’s way but still go forward with faith not fear.
Third, forgiveness
- Savior told woman taken in adultery to go and sin no more
- Four gifts mentioned in Christmas 2018 devotional included ability to forgive
- Forgiveness is required of us to become disciples
Fourth, sacrifice
- \Degree of love is degree we’re willing to sacrifice
- Sacrifice is a demonstration of love
  - Examples: pay fast offering, ministering,
Through His infinite Atonement, you can forgive those who have hurt you and who may never accept responsibility for their cruelty to you.
Let us live in humility because it brings peace.
- Humility precedes glory, and it brings God’s favor upon us
Let us have the courage to do what is right, even when it is unpopular.
- The courage to defend our faith and to act by faith
To be a follower of Christ is to strive to conform our actions, conduct and lives to those of the Savior.
- It is to acquire virtues.
- It is to be a true disciple of Jesus Christ
Let us have the courage to do what is right, even when it is unpopular; the courage to defend our faith and to act by faith
Let us sincerely forgive each other to obtain the forgiveness of the Father.
- Forgiveness is required of us to be truly disciples of Jesus Christ.”

Talk: Marcus B Nash of the 70

‘Hold Up Your Light’

Major Themes: All Things Denote there is a God; sharing the Gospel

Notable Stories: Sitting next to atheist, A Nigerian man, A sister in Nigeria,

Scriptures: D&C 123:12–13; D & C 18:16

Atheist asked why he believed in God. Answered because JS saw him and through personal real spiritual experience.
- All things denote there is a God.
- Atheist replied the accident of life could have happened over eons of time.
- I Responded that the accident couldn’t produce such beauty.
A similar experience in an airport resulted in someone joining the church
Sharing the Gospel brings joy and hope
- We know we lived with God before coming to earth
- Life changes for the better after baptism even when external circumstances do not
- Joy for both giver and receiver
Sharing the Gospel protects us from temptation
- Hold up the light of the gospel.
- Choosing to Not hold up Gospel light moves us to shadows where we’re susceptible to temptation
Sharing the Gospel brings healing
- Sister decided to support missionaries despite personal struggles. This renewed her sense of wellbeing and brought healing.
Sharing the Gospel brings more blessings, including forgiveness of sins
There are many among all parties, sects, and denominations who don’t know where to find the truth.
Young Buddhist man learned about the Gospel through an LDS family on Youtube, read the BOM through the app, met the missionaries and eventually got baptized. Today he is serving a mission.
The need to hold up our light has never been more necessary
Gen Z is turning away from God, missionaries are turning them back to God
Greatest responsibility is gathering of Israel
Share the gospel, be you, and hold up the light.
Truly, ‘how great shall be your joy’ as you share the gospel!
- Sharing the gospel is joy upon joy, hope upon hope.
The need to hold up our light has never been greater in all human history.
- And the truth has never been more accessible.
While surveys report that Gen Z is turning away from God, our stripling warrior elders and sisters are turning people to God
To know the truths of the gospel is life-changing.
- When a person learns the glorious purpose of life, comes to understand that Christ forgives and succors those who follow Him, and then chooses to follow Christ into the waters of baptism, life changes for the better — even when the circumstances of life do not.
Sharing the gospel can bring joy, hope, access to God’s power, protection from temptation and healing into one’s life. All of these — and more (including forgiveness of sins) — distill upon us from heaven as we share the gospel.
Many are only kept from the truth because “they know not where to find it”
My invitation today is simple:
- Share the gospel.
- Be you and hold up the light.
- Pray for heaven’s help and follow spiritual promptings.

Hymn: Lord I Would Follow Thee

(BYU either needs to get rid of the beard restriction or add a mustache restriction)

(Also odd that the men’s clothing has more color than the women’s)

Talk: President Henry Eyring – Second Counselor in the First Presidency

‘The Faith to Ask and Then to Act’

Major Themes: Revelation; Faith;

Notable Stories: The first vision; the voice of the Lord to Elijah,

Scriptures: 2 Nephi 32:3–6, 1 Kings 19:11–13

- President Nelson said “pure revelation for the questions in your hearts will make this conference rewarding and unforgettable. If you have not yet sought for the ministering of the Holy Ghost to help you hear what the Lord would have you hear during the next two days I invite you to do so now”
- The way to receive revelation from God hasn’t changed since Adam and Eve

(Hasn’t changed since pre or post fall?)

\\\\\
Joseph Smith felt like God would answer his heart-felt need
The way to receive revelation from God has not changed from the days of Adam
- It is the same for you and me.
- It is done by exercising faith.
You won’t have the opportunity to ask the speakers aloud but you can always ask God in prayer.
Sometimes the answer is ‘be patient’
Answers will come to fit your needs and spiritual preparation.
The still small voice is clear and discernable when I feel an internal quiet and submission to God’s will.
- The clearest answers come when we say “I only want what You want. Not what I want”.
The process of revelation is why you hear speakers teach what is called the doctrine of Christ
Revelation comes to us in proportion to the degree to which we have sought to take the doctrine of Christ into our hearts and implement it into our lives.
We can receive answers to our heartfelt prayers by submitting our will to the Lord’s.
If your faith in Jesus Christ has led to a heart softened through the effects of His Atonement, you will be more able to feel the whisperings of the Spirit in answer to your prayers
The Savior will not shout commands to you and me.
- He will wait till we are ready
- He will come in small, yet powerful ways that we will know.
- A still small voice is what He will use. (See 1 Kings 19)
Revelation we receive will be in agreement with the scriptures and modern prophets
It takes faith to go out and teach Christ’s gospel to others
- Be obedient
- Serve others
Because of technology, perhaps more of God’s children will hear and recognize the word of God this weekend than during any other two days in history.
Opposition and trials have long been a seedbed for the growth of faith.
- That has always been true, especially since the beginning of the Restoration and the founding of the Lord’s church..
Obedience to the Gospel brings people into a very close and intimate relationship with the Lord.
- It establishes a close connection between us and God.
- It brings a feeling of perfect confidence in the Almighty and in His willingness to listen to our prayers.
Pray that you can have the faith you need to make and keep covenants to allow the Holy Ghost to be your constant companion.
The rock upon which we stand is our witness that Jesus is the Christ
With sufficient faith, we will ask for direction with the intent to go and do whatever the Lord asks
The still, small voice is clear and discernable in my mind when I feel an internal quiet and submission to the Lord’s will
I know from experience that answers will come to fit your needs and your spiritual preparation.
- If you need an answer that is important to your eternal welfare or that of others, the answer is more likely to come.
  - Yet, even then, you may receive — as did Joseph Smith — the answer to be patient
Revelation comes in proportion to the degree in which one has sought to take the doctrine of Christ into his or her heart and implement that doctrine into one’s life.
As our faith in Jesus Christ will have led us to ask the Father for answers, that faith will also have brought the Savior’s softening touch enough for us to hear His direction and be determined and excited to obey.
The more the doctrine of Christ is in one’s life, the more he or she will feel greater love and sympathy for those who have never had the blessing of faith in Jesus Christ or are struggling to maintain it.