Sunday Conference Sessions

Morning Session

Photo: Jason Olson, Deseret Newss

President Dieter F. Uchtdorf:
The world is always looking for some new solution to their problems, but they all fall short of the everlasting change we are looking for in our lives. The Savior gave us His gospel, the grand key of knowledge that unlocks a life of happiness, peace, and fulfillment. The Gospel is not secret or complicated. It can unlock the door to true happiness, and we can have confidence and joy in times of despair.

Discipleship is a journey. It is the measure of our willingness to follow our Savior. Discipleship is not a spectator sport. Ours is not a second-hand religion. We must practice what we preach. Mistakes should not keep up from enjoying the blessings of the gospels. We all have sins, but we also have the atonement of Christ when we repent.

When we give up on ourselves, the Lord doesn’t. The Gospel of Jesus Christ is one of transformation. It is never too late.

Elder Neil L. Andersen:
I know, through the power of the Holy Ghost, that Jesus is the Christ. I know that I am not what I must become. The Lord will shape the back to fit the burden to be placed upon it (President Monson). All my life, I have been trying to become the person that my wife already thought I was.

Elder Steven E. Snow:
Change is an essential part of life’s experiences whether they are anticipated or unexpected Comfort and fear can keep us from making the changes necessary in life. By following the prophets, keeping an eternal perspective, having faith, and being of good cheer we can face life's unexpected challenges.

Sister Barbara Thompson:
There is little time remaining to spread the gospel of Jesus Christ. Whatever happens in life, Jesus Christ has the power to save. We must firm in our purpose to increase in faith, strengthen family and home, and serve the children of God. God does notice us, and he watches over us. But it is usually through another person that He meets our needs. Therefore, it is vital that we serve each other.

Elder Jeffrey R. Holland:
Because Jesus walked such a long, lonely path utterly alone, we do not have to do so. There in Gethsemane, the Father withdrew his spirit, his personal presence, from Jesus, so that the Son could feel what it was like to be totally alone. But Jesus held on in spite of complete anguish. He proved that God is always faithful and never fails us. The Savior’s solitary task of shouldering the burden of salvation alone, has blessed us in our aloneness. We will never be left alone nor unaided, even if sometimes we may feel that we are. May we declare ourselves to be more fully disciples of the Lord Jesus Christ, not in word only and not only in the flush of comfortable times, but in deed and in courage and in faith, including when the path is lonely and when our cross is difficult to bear.

President Thomas S. Monson:
There are continuing signs that the world is changing. Finances and morality are quickly declining. Wars, natural disasters and personal misfortunes continue to occur. But, instead of becoming discouraged and cynical about the future, being fearful of what might come, or dwelling only on what is wrong in the world and in our lives, let us focus our thoughts and attitudes on our blessings as members of the Church.

We know that there are times when we will suffer, and times when we will experience joy and happiness. As we grow and learn, we can be of good cheer and not fear because the Lord will stand by us. And, as we gain strength by following His commandments and keeping the covenants we have made with Him, our future will be as bright as our faith. This attitude is what will pull us through whatever comes our way. It will not remove our troubles from us but rather will enable us to face our challenges, to meet them head on and to emerge victorious.

Afternoon Session

President Dallin H. Oaks:
We live in a time when sacrifice is definitely out of fashion, when the outside forces that taught our ancestors the need for unselfish cooperative service have diminished. The worldly aspiration of our day is to get something for nothing. This type of thinking goes against the law of the harvest. Just as the Savior gave of himself selflessly, we must forget ourselves and get to work in our missionary, temple, and church service. The goal should be how many people we helped, not how many positions we held. Love one another and serve selflessly. We are happier because of what we give instead of what we get. You can’t be a life a life-saver if you look like every other swimmer at the beach.

Elder David A. Bednar:
We live in a great day of temple building around the world, where more and more faithful new members of the church are able to receive the blessings of the temple. The reason God gathers His people is to build temples. We truly take upon us the name of Christ when we worship in the templ, receive the protection of ordinances, and make sacred covenants. Be worthy and steadfast in looking forward to the blessings of the temple.

Elder Gary E. Stevenson:
You are never lost when you can see the temple. The temple will provide guidance and direction for you. It is the most holy of any place of worship on the earth. Following the prophets will turn the doors of our homes toward the temple. Our homes should be like our temples, places that will not offend the spirit, places where standards are in place that keep them sacred.

Elder José A. Teixeira:
Jesus Christ has a plan for us. Help is available for us. We are not alone. What a comfort it is to know this! Using the spiritual gifts we have been given is paramount to our salvation. We have been blessed with our own GPS system that is run by conscience and the guidance of the Holy Ghost. Keeping the commandments, and listening to the prophets keeps the signal strong.

Elder F. Michael Watson:
Let those who have gone before us, and have experience, have the reins and let them guide us. As members of this Church heed the words and commandments the Lord gave to the prophets of the Testaments, and followed by the Lord's prophet even today, we will more fully understand that Lord God will do nothing, but he revealeth his secret unto his servants the prophets. President Monson has truly exemplified, in his life, the pattern of the Master and the sincere desire to always be found in His service. It is President Monson who is the Lord's mouthpiece and whose counsel and direction we are admonished to follow. In a very real sense, the Master speaks to us through His prophet.

Elder L. Tom Perry:
Sometimes we, as the members of the church, seem to be missing in action. In a member oriented program, we are the shepherds. We should all ponder how it feels to be lost and then act as the shepherd. There are three things we can do to help the missionaries with inactive members and non-members: 1) declare our belief of Jesus Christ and His atonement, 2) tell in our own words the story of the first vision, and 3) testify of the Book of Mormon. Most of the full-time missionaries’ time is spent finding people instead of using the principals found in Preach My Gospel to share the gospel. We should be finding the people for them. We must all preach the message of the restoration. We must warn our neighbors. Be a member missionary. How great shall be your joy!!

President Thomas S. Monson:
I urge you to study the messages of this conference, and apply them in you lives. Let us strive to live closer to the Lord. Pray always. Express love to your children and pray for them. Attend the temple often. Continue in humanitarian service, and your donations in this regard. We are a blessed people.

A word of caution to all: We live when the adversary is using every thing possible to snare us and take us down with him. I sound this warning to all, especially the young, cease NOW if you are involved in pornography. May we say, with Joshua of old, choose you this day whom ye will serve; ...but as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord.