Summaries of talks given at the five sessions of the 179th
Semiannual General Conference of The Church of Jesus Christ of
- Latter-day SaintsSaturday morning session:Five new temples announced: In the opening moments of General
Conference, President Thomas S. Monson announced plans to build five new
Mormon temples, in Brigham City, Utah; Concepcion,
Chile; Fortaleza, Brazil; Ft. Lauderdale, Florida; and Sapporo, Japan.Welcome: President Monson began the conference by announcing construction of five new
temples, highlighting the dedication of two others, and acclaiming the
miracles of communication technology and the growth of the church.Elder Richard G. Scott: Spiritual guidance from the Holy Ghost is a divinely appointed and
invaluable form of assistance available to aid in navigating life's
challenges.Sister Vicki F. Matsumori: Learning
to help others recognize the whisperings of the Spirit is important to
everyday life.Elder L. Whitney Clayton:
With the help of the Lord, life's burdens can be made light.Elder Russell T. Osguthorpe: Learning and teaching are not optional activities in the kingdom of
Three
suggestions for
being more diligent and concerned at home.President Dieter F. Uchtdorf: "Let us be known as a people who love God with all our heart, soul and
- mind, and who love our neighbor as ourselves."Saturday afternoon session:13 members of the Seventy were released during this session.
- Elder Dallin H. Oaks: God's universal and perfect love is shown in all the blessings of His
gospel plan, including the fact that his choicest blessings are reserved
for those who obey his laws.Elder Robert D. Hales: Seeking to know God the Father and his Son Jesus Christ is the
foundation for a meaningful life.Elder Jorge E. Zeballos: Eternal
life is a divine promise that is possible to achieve.Elder Tad R.Callister:
Focusing on minor weaknesses of the Prophet Joseph Smith misses the
mark, the man and his mission of restoring the gospel.Elder Kent D. Watson: The Lord's mandate in Doctrine
and Covenants 12:8 that his servants be "temperate in all things."Elder Neil L. Andersen: Each
person needs to feel the Savior's arms of mercy through the forgiveness of
sins.President Boyd K. Packer:
No one is left alone on earth without hope of guidance and redemption.
Through prayer, the Lord's children can receive promptings that can
- bless their lives and help them find direction.Saturday Priesthood session:Elder M. Russell Ballard: There are ways fathers and sons can help each other be their best. The same counsel can
apply to "uncles and grandfathers and priesthood leaders and other
mentors who sometimes fill the gaps for these significant father-son
relationships."Elder Walter F. Gonzalez: "Just like in the days of old, we can be more powerful priesthood
holders by using the Book of Mormon."Elder Yoon Hwan Choi: "Dear brethren, let us love our boys although some of them are loud boys. Let us teach them to change their lives."
"I am optimistic about the future. Brethren, for our part, we must
remain steadfast in hope, work with all our strength and trust in God."President Henry B. Eyring:
"The destiny of the rising generation of priesthood holders is far more
than to be ready to bring God's power down to heal the sick."President Thomas S. Monson: "No
one can make us angry," he said. "It is our choice. If we desire to
have a proper spirit with us at all times, we must choose to refrain
- from becoming angry."Sunday morning session:President Henry B. Eyring:
Different as church members are in circumstances and experiences, they
share a desire to become better than they are.Elder L. Tom Perry The actions of some early church pioneers provided a
blueprint for how Mormons can effectively participate in
member-missionary work.Bishop H. David Burton
The lesson of the personal traits of a patient and diligent primary teacher has had a lasting influence.Sister Ann M. Dibb:
Heavenly Father has not left church members alone during their mortal
probation. "He has already given us all the safety equipment we will
need to successfully return to him."Elder Russell M. Nelson:
More amazing than modern technology is mankind's opportunity "to access
information directly from heaven, without hardware, software or monthly
service fees."President Thomas S. Monson
Jack McConnell, whose
father, a Methodist minister, would ask each child at the dinner table,
"And what did you do for someone today?" The children were determined to report each day
- they had helped someone.Sunday afternoon session:Elder Jeffrey R. Holland:
Prophecies regarding the last days often refer to large-scale
calamities. The Savior warned that in
the last days the the "very elect" could be
deceived by the enemy of truth.Elder Quentin L. Cook:
Mormons live in perilous times when many people believe they do not
have a personal responsibility or stewardship for themselves or others.
The church maintains stewardships toward others remain a sacred trust.Elder Dale G. Renlund:
Just as recipients of heart transplants must take daily medications to
ensure their bodies do not reject their new hearts, Latter-day Saints
must use great care with spiritually changed hearts to ensure they do
not become hardened.Elder Michael T. Ringwood:
"As I pondered what caused this mighty change in the hearts of these
Lamanites, I came to realize this easiness and willingness to believe
in the word of God comes from a softness of heart."Elder Joseph W. Sitati:
The Spirit of the Lord is moving powerfully among the people. "God's
children on the earth today have the opportunity to understand his plan
of happiness for them more fully than at any other time."Elder D. Todd Christofferson:
Positive outcomes occur when "moral agency" is accompanied by "moral
discipline," which is "the consistent exercise of agency to choose the
right because it is right, even when it is hard.President Thomas S. Monson:
"My heart is full as we come to the close of this conference. We have
been richly taught and spiritually edified as we have listened to the
messages which have been presented and the testimonies which have been
borne."