Note: These are the instant, post-conference, mildly-filtered things that ran through my brain and heart as I watched this session of General Conference. If you are looking for deep, spiritual analysis, this is not the place. Drive on.
• I just heard the disclaimer that I have to have written consent from the Church to reproduce any of the info. Well, get me a comfy cell, ‘cuz here we go again!
• Elder Christofferson is conducting, and I am eating Nacho Cheese Doritos.
Elder Dieter F. Uchtdorf spoke about the childhood church building where he first gained a testimony. About how the things he learned as a youth have served as a foundation for his life.
“One of the most important things we can learn in this life is the difference between what is eternal and what is not. As soon as we learn that, everything changes.”
“Knowing what is eternal and what is not is key to growing a testimony of Jesus Christ and His Church.”
All truths are not of equal value. “Some truths are core, essential, at the root of our faith. Others are appendages or branches — valuable, but only when they are connected to the fundamentals.”
“Jesus Christ and His atoning sacrifice are the root of our testimony. All other things are branches.”
“When it comes to nourishing our testimonies of Jesus Christ, I wonder if we sometimes mistake the branches for the roots.” (Like the Pharisees ignored the “weightier matters” of the law.)
“If you want to nourish a tree, you don’t splash water on the branches. You water the roots. Similarly, if you want the branches of your testimony to grow and bear fruit, nourish the roots.”
(I’m feeling like I should just wait and paste the entire talk!)
“Nourish the roots, and the branches will grow. And in time, they will bear fruit. … The healthy, fruitful tree of faith requires intentional effort. And a vital part of that effort is making sure we are firmly rooted in Christ.
We have to be rooted in the Savior because other things are variable – meetinghouses, leaders, members.
“Is my testimony based on what I hope will happen in my life?” Recipe for disappointment.
“Faith is strong when it has deep roots in personal experience, personal commitment to Jesus Christ, independent of what our traditions are or what others may say or do.”
“Our testimony will be tested and tried. Faith is not faith if never tested. Faith is not strong if never opposed. So don’t despair if you have trials of faith or unanswered questions.”
“It is my sincere prayer and blessing to all of you that we will constantly nourish the roots of our faith in the Savior, in His doctrine and in His church.”
Elder Takashi Wada. We are created in God’s image and have divine potential.
Reviewed Plan of Salvation. “Learning these important truths has helped me know my true identity and the great blessings God has prepared for us of exaltation and eternal life.”
He learned about prayer from his Buddhist father.
“Life without knowing the Plan of Salvation was confusing.”
Told his conversion story. Began with the reading the New Testament and wanting to learn more about Jesus.
“I remember reading the words of Jesus Christ. Though I did not understand all the words He said, His words comforted me, lifted my soul and gave me hope. … I felt that Jesus Christ was someone I knew.”
“Praying to Heavenly Father helped me know who He is and my relationship with Him — that I was His beloved spirit son.”
“Knowing this incredible plan will help us know we are children of God and we can become like Him.”
Elder Ronald A. Rasband “Jesus is not absent in our lives.”
“To sustain means to hold up another person, to give them our attention, to be faithful to their trust, to act upon their words.”
“In holding up our hands, we are committing our support, not just for that moment but in our daily lives.”
“When we hold up one another, we are saying, ‘I am here for you, not just to hold up your arms and hands when they hang down, but to be a comfort and strength at your side.’”
Talked about the converts at Waters of Mormon – bear one another’s burdens, mourn with those who mourn, etc.
“To hold up the prophet is a sacred work. We do not sit quietly by, but actively defend him, follow his counsel, teach his words and pray for him.”
Connected it to story of Moses needed help supporting his arms and Aaron and Hur helped him until the battle was over. (Exodus 17)
“We need to do more lifting and less murmuring, more upholding the word of the Lord, His ways and His Prophet.”
“We all need to be lifted up by the Lord with peace, comfort and, most of all, with personal revelation to counter the fear, darkness and contention encompassing the world.”
Emphatic call to attend the temple and how they will change our lives. (Again, no reference to the work for the dead. I don’t get it.)
• Halftime!
• Do you think the Sunday sessions are more “elementary/basic/core” than Saturday sessions? Maybe more people who aren’t members or active watch on Sunday. I dunno.
Elder Quentin L. Cook.
“Books: The original handheld device.”
Book of Mormon and Bible.
“We treasure [the scriptures] for their profound role in documenting God’s direction to ancient prophets and people and the guidance they provide for us our own personal lives.”
“These scriptures are most powerful when they give instruction, correction, comfort, and consolation to individuals and families who seek guidance from the Lord.”
“The scriptures help build a foundation that can withstand the adversary’s constant efforts to undermine faith.”
Told conversion stories, and that such conversions are happening all over in the church.
“We cannot underestimate the significance of sacred scriptures both in conversions and in remaining faithful in the gospel.”
“Studying the Book of Mormon is essential for enduring conversion.”
He talks about the internet and how handheld devices are a great tool for studying the gospel, including the Book of Mormon app.
But, the internet is also used to create doubt and challenge faith. “Intended to draw you away from God’s truth.”
“Both long term members and those newly studying the gospel need to be intentional about what they view. Do not entertain immoral, dishonest or unrighteous material.”
“Algorithms can lead you down a path that destroys faith.” “You can be acted upon positively or negatively. Seek righteousness and avoid dark Internet rabbit holes, and doomscrolling.”
“Fill your life with positive, righteous ideas, be joyful, have fun but avoid foolishness. There is a difference.”
“Above all, immerse yourself regularly in the Book of Mormon which will draw the Spirit into your life and help you discern truth from error.”
(Loved the way he wrapped it up – contrasting the good internet vs the bad internet.)
Elder Ruben Alliaud
A lot of people believe they are children of God. “For Latter-day Saints, this teaching is not metaphorical. We truly believe that we are all literally the children of God.”
Told stories of Moses and Jesus’ temptations.
“How different in life our decisions would be if we really knew who we really are.”
“President Nelson’s invitation to ‘think celestial’ implies a wonderful reminder of our divine nature, origin and potential destination.”
“We only can obtain the celestial through Jesus Christ’s atoning sacrifice.”
Elder I. Raymond Egbo (From Nigeria)
When Nigeria won the Olympics in Atlanta, everyone partied in Nigeria. They were united and content being Nigerian. The team had adversity, but excelled after they learned to ignore the distractions and focus on the game.
“When we ignore the distractions of the world and focus on Christ and His gospel, we are guaranteed success beyond what we can fully imagine.”
“I pray that the Holy Ghost will help each of us to heed President Nelson’s invitation to focus our lives on Jesus Christ and His gospel.”
Related story of Alma the Younger’s angelic visitation and his subsequent repentance. If you have a child who has left the faith, don’t put a timetable on God. He will put someone in their path. “Trust Jesus Christ with your child, for He is the strength of every parent and of every child.”
“We can experience joy in Christ regardless of what is happening — or not happening — in our lives.”
“I am learning that to ‘think celestial’ and ‘let God prevail’ includes focusing on the joy available in Christ.”
• It’s crazy how good President Nelson looks for 100. He’s using a desktop teleprompter.
President Russel M. Nelson.
Let the messages of this conference guide us. “A litmus test of what is true and what is not.”
The SLC temple renovations should be done by the end of 2026.
17 New Temples
- Juchitán de Zaragoza, Mexico
- Santa Ana, El Salvador
- Medellín, Colombia
- Santiago, Dominican Republic
- Puerto Montt, Chile
- Dublin, Ireland Milan,
- Italy Abuja, Nigeria
- Kampala, Uganda
- Maputo, Mozambique
- Coeur d’Alene, Idaho
- Queen Creek, Arizona
- El Paso, Texas
- Huntsville, Alabama
- Milwaukee, Wisconsin
- Summit, New Jersey
- Price, Utah
“Why are we building temples at such an unprecedented pace? Why? Because the Lord has instructed us to do so. The blessings of the temple help to gather Israel on both sides of the veil.”
“Brothers and sisters, now is the time for you, and for me, to prepare for the Second Coming of our Lord and Savior, Jesus the Christ. Now is the time for us to make our discipleship our highest priority.”
“Here is my promise to you: Every sincere seeker of Jesus Christ will find Him in the temple. You will feel His mercy. You will find answers to your most vexing questions. You will better comprehend the joy of His gospel.”
Spoke of the grief of losing his first wife. Tells the story of when he was mugged in Mozambique. (I’ll have to tell that story sometime. It was crazy.)
“There is no limit to the Savior’s capacity to help you. His incomprehensible suffering in Gethsemane and on Calvary was for you. His infinite Atonement is for you.”
“I urge you to devote time each week—for the rest of your life—to increase your understanding of the Atonement of Jesus Christ.”
“It is neither too early nor too late for you to become a devout disciple of Jesus Christ. Then you will experience fully the blessings of His Atonement. You will also be more effective in helping to gather Israel.”
“I call upon you to talk of Christ, testify of Christ, have faith in Christ, and rejoice in Christ!”
“The best is yet to come, my dear brothers and sisters, because the Savior is coming again. The best is yet to come because the Lord is hastening His work. The best is yet to come as we fully turn our hearts and our lives to Jesus Christ.”
• Powerful concluding address from President Nelson. There was a definite sense of urgency.
• I am happy to share with you that I know that Christ lives, and that he is our Savior. (That’s why I do this!)
Love you all!
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I don’t know how you do it – take all those notes so quickly and well. Ok, I think I do know. Angels help you because your notes and commentary help the rest of us so much. 🙂
Thank you, Brad, for ALL 5 summaries. I devour your notes after taking my own. I love your side-quips and your insights, by the way. Please don’t let “them” stop you from doing this.
Your Testimony comes through loud and clear in every post.
Please share the Pres Nelson/Mozambique story someday. I’ve never heard details. Thank you for all you do.